If we’ve learnt anything from Kim Kardashian it’s that you shouldn’t film yourself having sex contouring is key to creating a flattering makeup look. The right contouring helps you hide those features you’re not so happy with, and showcase those that you are. It can make your face look slimmer, breasts look larger and disguise a crooked nose.
Get yourself a bargain basement Kim K boob contour.
But how exactly does one contour? Isn’t that really tricky? Well, luckily I have recently come across the holy grail of contouring products and I wanted to share the love. And it’ll turn even the clumsiest among us into a contouring master.
Forget bronzers, illuminators, brushes and sponges, all you need is Smashbox's new Step-By-Step Contour Kit and your very own fingers. Basically, it's paint by numbers for your face, and any mere mortal can do it (no makeup artist required). I first discovered it when I was perusing Sephora's website in preparation for my friend's upcoming trip to New York and having not seen the kits yet on Australian stores (don't panic, they're here now in both Sephora and Mecca/Kit stores) I knew I had to have one.
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The Smashbox kit itself consists of three very blendable crayons in a contour (darkest), bronze (mid shade), and highlight (lightest) colour. For those who aren't aware, the idea with contouring is that the darkest shade is used to create shadows and recede areas, the highlight is used to pull features forward and a mid-tone shade is generally used to merge the two together and eliminate harsh lines.
Also included in the Smashbox kit is a handy guide to tell you exactly what the hell you should be doing with your new art kit. Oh, and a sharpener. Once you've mastered the basics, it's so gosh-darn easy you'll be contouring yourself pretty every day of the week.
Related: Your contoured fancy gym pants are basically bullshit.
To prove my point, this was me getting ready for a conference call at my desk. I literally had four minutes. Admittedly, this is a very basic contour but it's exactly the kind of thing I would do as an everyday look. (Post continues after gallery.)
Smashbox Step-by-step Contour Kit
Here's the run down:
1. Starting with the contour shade, draw two lines down the size of your nose and blend with your fingers. I was a little apprehensive at first but the product itself is super buttery so melts into the skin easily.
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2. Next, run the highlight shade down your nose in a single line. Blend. Yep, that's it, you just contoured your nose. Well done you!
3. On to the cheeks, pull your best duck face in the mirror and softly run the contour shade under your cheek bone. Next, take the bronze colour and using light strokes, apply on the cheekbones themselves. This will eliminate any harsh lines and seamlessly blend the colours together. Once again, use your hands to blend the product into the skin. You'll notice how natural the contour looks.
4. Finally, use your highlight colour under the eyes, along the top of the cheekbones and on your chin. Blend yourself in and admire your handiwork.
See, easy! What's your favourite beauty find of late?
Related: Everyone judged me for my wedding day beauty decision. But I did it anyway and LOVED it.